George Henry, Gleaner Writer
Neville Rowe using a mist blower to spray his cabbage patch on his farm in Red Bank, St. Elizabeth. - PHOTO BY GEORGE HENRY
MALVERN, St. Elizabeth:
IF YOU had spoken to Neville Rowe 12 years ago, he would have shared with you his excitement for farming. It was that bundle of excitement that encouraged him in the mid-1980s to start growing cauliflower, cabbage, carrot,
broccoli, scallion and other crops.
However, if you speak with him today, he would tell how his excitement has slowly turned into disappointment. In an interview, Mr. Rowe complained that the persistent drought in Red Bank, southern St. Elizabeth where his farm is located, has been wreaking havoc on his crops for the past 15 years.
Mr. Rowe, who still does a little cultivating on about an acre of land, said every year he has lost most of his crops to drought largely because of a lack of water in the area. He lamented that each time he has to start over.
In addition to the drought and water problems, the farmer said his crops are also affected by pests and insects. The 36-year-old farmer said he was unable to buy the necessary chemicals to protect his produce. Mr. Rowe said that he has not been able to get any assistance from the political representatives in the area, or the agricultural agencies, even after the recent heavy rains which did significant damage to his farm land.
"I am not going to them again for any help because they are not helping us," the disgruntled farmer said. "When my farm was destroyed last year by hurricanes, dem claim that dem did assessment and until this very day no one has returned with anything to say that they are giving me back something to start over. It is a shame and disgrace," he charged.
Despite being discouraged, Mr. Rowe said he wants to continue to do farming. He is calling on the Government to subsidise the price of chemicals used on the farm.
